United States 6th Fleet
Encyclopedia
The Sixth Fleet is the United States Navy's
operational unit and staff of United States Naval Forces Europe
. The fleet once had its headquarters in Gaeta
, Italy, commanded by a Vice Admiral
. However, beginning in 2004, the Sixth Fleet staff was combined with United States Naval Forces Europe staff, up to that time headquartered in London. Since then the staff has operated as a single entity with a four star admiral who serves as Commander, Naval Forces Europe and Commander, Naval Forces Africa. This admiral has a three star Deputy Commander who also carries the title Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet. The staff as a whole is known as Commander, Naval Forces Europe-Africa/Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet or CNE-CNA/C6F) and works from its facilities at Naval Support Activity Naples
at the Capodichino site in Naples
, Italy. is the Sixth Fleet flagship
with its homeport Gaeta, Italy and operating in the Mediterranean Sea
.
U.S. Naval forces entering the Mediterranean Sea are assigned ("CHOPed") to Sixth Fleet. Sixth Fleet has consisted of up to 40 ships, 175 aircraft and 21,000 people, such as in early 2003, when two carrier battlegroups operated in the Mediterranean in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. However, since the submarine tender , based in La Maddelena in Sardinia
, changed homeports to Bremerton, WA, the fleet has just one permanently assigned ship, the Mount Whitney. The fleet typically has a number of frigates and destroyers assigned, as well as those vessels transiting between the East Coast and the Suez. Additionally, since 2005, Sixth Fleet ships have increasingly been operating around Africa, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea.
Sixth Fleet conducts the full range of Maritime Operations and Theater Security Cooperation missions in concert with coalition, joint, interagency and other parties in order to advance security and stability in Europe and Africa. These operations include, but are not limited to, Ballistic Missile Defense, Time Sensitive Targeting, Maritime Interception Operations, Expanded Maritime Interception Operations, Maritime Counter Proliferation Interdiction, Counter Piracy, Noncombatant Evacuation Operations, Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Indications and Warnings and Maritime Crisis Response. Theater Security Cooperation missions include International Military Partnering and Building Partner Capacity. The commander of the Sixth Fleet is Vice Admiral Frank Craig Pandolfe
.
In 1946, President Truman
dispatched the battleship to the Eastern Mediterranean to counter Soviet
threats to Turkey and Iran. The small fleet maintained in the Mediterranean by U.S. Naval Forces, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean was known as Naval Forces Mediterranean and had as its flagship, a destroyer tender, anchored at Naples, Italy. The cruiser relieved the tender as flagship
and began operating with the fleet. The title of Naval Forces Mediterranean was changed to Commander Sixth Task Fleet and then, in 1950, Commander, Sixth Fleet.
In 1957, Operation Deep Water took place within the Allied Forces Southern Europe area of responsibility
. It was conducted by Naval Striking and Support Forces Southern Europe (STRIKFORSOUTH), commanded by Vice Admiral
Charles R. Brown
, USN
, who also commanded the Sixth Fleet. STRIKEFORSOUTH was effectively the NATO designation for the U.S. Sixth Fleet, though additional NATO headquarters personnel would eventually be assigned, while maintaining American control over its nuclear weapons on board U.S. aircraft carrier as mandated by the Atomic Energy Act of 1946
. The geographical focus of naval operations in the Mediterranean Basin
was consistent with U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps strategic doctrine as articulated by Samuel P. Huntington
in his seminal article "National Policy and the Transoceanic Navy" published in May 1954 in the United States Naval Institute
journal Proceedings
These were reflected in the planning and execution of Operation Deep Water.
Sixth Fleet operated in support of American forces during Operation Blue Bat in Lebanon
in 1958. During the Cold War, the Sixth Fleet had several confrontations with the Soviet Navy
's 5th Operational Squadron, notably during the 1973 Yom Kippur War
.
The Sixth Fleet provided military, logistical and humanitarian assistance to support NATO operations in Kosovo
from the beginning of Operation Allied Force. It also participated in Operation Shining Hope
and Operation Joint Guardian. In March 2011, the fleet was involved in operations in Libya
pursuant to Security Council resolution 1973.
s.
Each task force is responsible to the Sixth Fleet Commander for specific functions related to assigned units.
When strike groups deploy to the Mediterranean from the Atlantic they 'inchop' (transfer command) from Second Fleet to Sixth Fleet.
60 (DESRON SIX ZERO) was established on 19 February 2003. It was homeported in Gaeta, Italy. The establishment of Destroyer Squadron Sixty provided CNE/COMSIXTHFLT with a permanently assigned destroyer squadron, increasing the Sixth Fleet's options when undertaking national and theater level tasking.
From November 2007 to April 2008, TF 60's commander served as Commander Africa Partnership Station
with an international staff operating off West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.
He also serves as Commander, Task Force 365, Task Force West and Central Africa.
This Task Force 60 is the Sixth Fleet's Battle Force. When any Carrier Strike Group
enters into the Mediterranean control zone it is usually designated TF 60 and the battle group commander, a one or two-star flag officer, assumes duties as COM TF 60 from COMDESRON 60. The Task Force can be composed of one or more aircraft carrier
s, each with an accompanying complement of approximately six cruisers and destroyers. On board the aircraft carrier is an air wing of 65–85 aircraft
. This air wing is the primary striking arm of the Strike Group, and includes attack, fighter, anti-submarine, and reconnaissance aircraft. Ships accompanying the carrier serve as defensive and offensive platforms with duties involving anti-aircraft, surface and submarine warfare. In addition to its major role of controlling the seas, the Strike Group can also project its power over land.
Task Group 60.4 has most recently been holding the Africa Partnership Station
role, and Task Group 60.5 seems now to be permanently assigned as the Southeast Africa Task Group. The Group may be named the South and East Africa Task Group, and holds the alternate designation of Task Force 363.
As of 2011 Task Force 60 will normally be the commander of Naval Task Force Europe and Africa. Any naval unit within the USEUCOM or USAFRICOM AOR may be assigned to TF 60 as required upon signal from the Commander of the Sixth Fleet.
was the Mediterranean Amphibious Ready Group
. It is composed of approximately three amphibious ships and their embarked landing craft. From these ships, United States Marine ground forces can move ashore by sea and air in amphibious assault or emergency evacuation missions. Once ashore, the ships of Task Force 61 logistically support the ground forces, until the objective of the landing has been accomplished, and the Marine Forces return to the ships.
As of 2011, according to official NavEur/NavAf Public Affairs sources, Task Force 61 will normally be the commander of the deployed Carrier Strike Group (CSG) and will exercise operational control of all units assigned to TF61 operating in the USEUCOM or USAFRICOM AOR.
(MEU) of approximately 1,900 Marines. Transported in Task Force 61 ships, the MEU is equipped with armor, artillery, and transport helicopters that enable it to conduct operations ashore, or evacuate civilians from troubled areas. This MEU is usually from II MEF on the East Coast.
As of 2011, according to official Public Affairs sources, Task Force 62 will normally be the commander of the deployed Ambhibious Ready Group (ARG) and will exercise operational control of all units assigned to TF61 operating in the USEUCOM or USAFRICOM AOR.
's Sealift Logistics Command (SEALOGEUR) are two separately named formations that actually operate as a unified one with one staff. Task Force 63 is headquartered at Naples
, Italy. Composed of oilers, provision ships, and repair ships, its mission is the delivery of supplies at sea, and effecting repairs to other ships and equipment of the Fleet. Commander, Task Force 63 (CTF-63) is the operational commander of all the U.S. 6th Fleet air and sea logistics. While in theater, Military Sealift Command's Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force and Special Mission ships report to CTF-63 along with cargo planes that support 6th Fleet and U.S. European Command logistics missions.
CTF-63 is also responsible for ordering and tracking spare parts and supplies being delivered to ships in theater. CTF-63 is the immediate operational commander of Maritime Prepositioning Ship
Squadron One (MPSRON ONE) based in the Mediterranean Sea. The ships of MPSRON One are deployed year-round. This pre-positions U.S. military cargo at sea. Should a military or humanitarian crisis arise in theater, the squadron can deliver its cargo ashore, enabling a faster U.S. response.
. The mission was strategic
deterrence
. It is extremely unlikely that any SSBNs are actually still assigned or operate with CNE/C6F in the Mediterranean.
Previously, CTF 64 was responsible for ballistic missile submarines assigned to the Sixth Fleet. CTF 64's administrative title, was Commander Submarine Group 8. ComSubGru 8's operational functions were accomplished through four Task Forces: CTF 64, CTF 69 (attack submarines), NATO's CTF 442, or deployed SSBNs and CTF 439, the operational title for Commander Submarines Allied Naval Forces South—the rear admiral's NATO hat. (Globalsecurity.org
)
TF 64 then became a Special Operation force, previously headquartered by the now-disbanded Naval Special Warfare Unit 10 at Rota, Spain
. NSWU 10 disbanded in 2005, and it is now unclear whether CTF 64 is operating currently. During the initial stages of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, Task Force 64 became the administrative command structure created to interface with all non-UK/US special forces and smaller ground combat forces provided by various national governments and under American operational control. This may have been because NSWU 10 elements deployed to Afghanistan to form part of the HQ.
As of 2011, according to official U.S. Navy Public Affairs contributions to wikipedia, Task Force 64 will not normally be assigned, but may be as required.
enforcement, Maritime Interdiction Operations, direct support to NATO combined and Joint operations and exercises, Counter-terrorism operations, Counter-piracy operations, Africa Maritime Law Enforcement Partnership operations, whole of government Africa Partnership Station deployments and Theater Security Cooperation activities both inport and underway.
It can be seen from this 2011 official description that the CDS 60 task force designator has been switched from TF 60 to TF 65.
is composed of land-based maritime patrol aircraft. These aircraft operate over the waters of the Mediterranean in anti-submarine, reconnaissance, surveillance, and mining roles.
In the past, Task Force 67's has been provided by Commander, Fleet Air Mediterranean (COMFLTAIRMED), but it is unclear whether FLTAIRMED still exists. The Task Force commander also previously held the role of NATO AFSOUTH
's Commander, Maritime Air, Allied Naval Forces South with the NATO task force designator TF 431.
Task Force organisation 1999:
As of 2011, officially Task Force 67's mission is to provide responsive, interoperable, and
expeditionary combat ready maritime patrol aircraft and supporting forces to
Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe/Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Africa
and Commander, U.S. SIXTH Fleet (CNE-CNA-C6F), NATO and Unified Commanders
to conduct effective Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), maintain Maritime Domain
Awareness (MDA), enhance regional stability, promote cooperative maritime
safety and security, and be decisive while conducting overseas contingency
operations.
A possibly more recent mission for CTF 68 is Commander, Task Force SIX EIGHT conducts Explosive Ordnance Disposal operations, Naval Construction, Expeditionary Security and Theater Security Cooperation in order to maintain strategic assess, develop interoperability with coalition, joint, inter-agency and other partners, and increase security and stability in Europe and Africa. On order, conduct Point and Area Defense to protect and defend critical infrastructure and High Value Assets against terrorist attack. Be prepared to conduct Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations.
As of 2011, according to official U.S., Navy public affairs contributions to wikipedia, Task Force 69 is the Submarine Force and exercises operational control of all Submarine assets in the USEUCOM or USAFRICOM AOR.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
operational unit and staff of United States Naval Forces Europe
United States Naval Forces Europe
United States Naval Forces Europe is the United States Navy component of the United States European Command and provides forces for United States African Command....
. The fleet once had its headquarters in Gaeta
Gaeta
Gaeta is a city and comune in the province of Latina, in Lazio, central Italy. Set on a promontory stretching towards the Gulf of Gaeta, it is 120 km from Rome and 80 km from Naples....
, Italy, commanded by a Vice Admiral
Vice admiral (United States)
In the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps, and the United States Maritime Service, vice admiral is a three-star flag officer, with the pay grade of...
. However, beginning in 2004, the Sixth Fleet staff was combined with United States Naval Forces Europe staff, up to that time headquartered in London. Since then the staff has operated as a single entity with a four star admiral who serves as Commander, Naval Forces Europe and Commander, Naval Forces Africa. This admiral has a three star Deputy Commander who also carries the title Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet. The staff as a whole is known as Commander, Naval Forces Europe-Africa/Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet or CNE-CNA/C6F) and works from its facilities at Naval Support Activity Naples
Naval Support Activity Naples
Naval Support Activity Naples is a United States Navy base, at Naples Airport in Naples, Italy. It is home to United States Naval Forces Europe and the United States Sixth Fleet.-History:...
at the Capodichino site in Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
, Italy. is the Sixth Fleet flagship
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
with its homeport Gaeta, Italy and operating in the Mediterranean Sea
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
.
U.S. Naval forces entering the Mediterranean Sea are assigned ("CHOPed") to Sixth Fleet. Sixth Fleet has consisted of up to 40 ships, 175 aircraft and 21,000 people, such as in early 2003, when two carrier battlegroups operated in the Mediterranean in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. However, since the submarine tender , based in La Maddelena in Sardinia
Sardinia
Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea . It is an autonomous region of Italy, and the nearest land masses are the French island of Corsica, the Italian Peninsula, Sicily, Tunisia and the Spanish Balearic Islands.The name Sardinia is from the pre-Roman noun *sard[],...
, changed homeports to Bremerton, WA, the fleet has just one permanently assigned ship, the Mount Whitney. The fleet typically has a number of frigates and destroyers assigned, as well as those vessels transiting between the East Coast and the Suez. Additionally, since 2005, Sixth Fleet ships have increasingly been operating around Africa, particularly in the Gulf of Guinea.
Sixth Fleet conducts the full range of Maritime Operations and Theater Security Cooperation missions in concert with coalition, joint, interagency and other parties in order to advance security and stability in Europe and Africa. These operations include, but are not limited to, Ballistic Missile Defense, Time Sensitive Targeting, Maritime Interception Operations, Expanded Maritime Interception Operations, Maritime Counter Proliferation Interdiction, Counter Piracy, Noncombatant Evacuation Operations, Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Indications and Warnings and Maritime Crisis Response. Theater Security Cooperation missions include International Military Partnering and Building Partner Capacity. The commander of the Sixth Fleet is Vice Admiral Frank Craig Pandolfe
Frank Craig Pandolfe
Frank Craig Pandolfe is a Vice Admiral in the United States Navy.-Career:Pandolfe graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1980. He later obtained a Ph.D. from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy....
.
History and recent operations
The United States has maintained a naval presence in the Mediterranean since the early 19th century, when U.S. Naval forces first engaged the Barbary Pirates to prevent them from interfering with commercial shipping. The earliest battle group was the Mediterranean Squadron.In 1946, President Truman
Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...
dispatched the battleship to the Eastern Mediterranean to counter Soviet
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
threats to Turkey and Iran. The small fleet maintained in the Mediterranean by U.S. Naval Forces, Eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean was known as Naval Forces Mediterranean and had as its flagship, a destroyer tender, anchored at Naples, Italy. The cruiser relieved the tender as flagship
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
and began operating with the fleet. The title of Naval Forces Mediterranean was changed to Commander Sixth Task Fleet and then, in 1950, Commander, Sixth Fleet.
In 1957, Operation Deep Water took place within the Allied Forces Southern Europe area of responsibility
Area of responsibility
Area Of Responsibility is a pre-defined geographic region assigned to a Combatant commanders of the Unified Command Plan , that are used to define an area with specific geographic boundaries where they have the authority to plan and conduct operations; for which a force, or component commander...
. It was conducted by Naval Striking and Support Forces Southern Europe (STRIKFORSOUTH), commanded by Vice Admiral
Vice admiral (United States)
In the United States Navy, the United States Coast Guard, the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Corps, and the United States Maritime Service, vice admiral is a three-star flag officer, with the pay grade of...
Charles R. Brown
Charles R. Brown
Charles R. Brown was a United States Navy four-star admiral.As a Vice-Admiral, he commanded the United States Sixth Fleet. He became the Commander in Chief, Allied Forces Southern Europe , 1959–1961, as a full admiral. It was in this role in 1959 that he instigated the creation of the Gray Eagle...
, USN
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, who also commanded the Sixth Fleet. STRIKEFORSOUTH was effectively the NATO designation for the U.S. Sixth Fleet, though additional NATO headquarters personnel would eventually be assigned, while maintaining American control over its nuclear weapons on board U.S. aircraft carrier as mandated by the Atomic Energy Act of 1946
Atomic Energy Act of 1946
The Atomic Energy Act of 1946 determined how the United States federal government would control and manage the nuclear technology it had jointly developed with its wartime allies...
. The geographical focus of naval operations in the Mediterranean Basin
Mediterranean Basin
In biogeography, the Mediterranean Basin refers to the lands around the Mediterranean Sea that have a Mediterranean climate, with mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers, which supports characteristic Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub vegetation...
was consistent with U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps strategic doctrine as articulated by Samuel P. Huntington
Samuel P. Huntington
Samuel Phillips Huntington was an influential American political scientist who wrote highly-regarded books in a half-dozen sub-fields of political science, starting in 1957...
in his seminal article "National Policy and the Transoceanic Navy" published in May 1954 in the United States Naval Institute
United States Naval Institute
The United States Naval Institute , based at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, is a private, non-profit, professional military association that seeks to offer independent, nonpartisan forums for debate of national defense issues...
journal Proceedings
Proceedings (magazine)
Proceedings is a monthly magazine published by the United States Naval Institute since 1874. The 96-page publication features articles about Naval and Military matters written by active and retired military personnel plus renowned authors and scholars of their subject.-External links:* * ** by...
These were reflected in the planning and execution of Operation Deep Water.
Sixth Fleet operated in support of American forces during Operation Blue Bat in Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
in 1958. During the Cold War, the Sixth Fleet had several confrontations with the Soviet Navy
Soviet Navy
The Soviet Navy was the naval arm of the Soviet Armed Forces. Often referred to as the Red Fleet, the Soviet Navy would have played an instrumental role in a Warsaw Pact war with NATO, where it would have attempted to prevent naval convoys from bringing reinforcements across the Atlantic Ocean...
's 5th Operational Squadron, notably during the 1973 Yom Kippur War
Yom Kippur War
The Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War or October War , also known as the 1973 Arab-Israeli War and the Fourth Arab-Israeli War, was fought from October 6 to 25, 1973, between Israel and a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria...
.
The Sixth Fleet provided military, logistical and humanitarian assistance to support NATO operations in Kosovo
Kosovo
Kosovo is a region in southeastern Europe. Part of the Ottoman Empire for more than five centuries, later the Autonomous Province of Kosovo and Metohija within Serbia...
from the beginning of Operation Allied Force. It also participated in Operation Shining Hope
Operation Shining Hope
Joint Task Force Shining Hope was the United States contribution to Operation Allied Harbour. The mission of JTF Shining Hope was to conduct foreign humanitarian assistance operations in support of US government agencies and non-governmental and international organizations engaged in providing...
and Operation Joint Guardian. In March 2011, the fleet was involved in operations in Libya
Operation Odyssey Dawn
Operation Odyssey Dawn was the U.S. code name for the US part of the international military operation in Libya to enforce United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973. during the initial period of 19–31 March 2011, which continued afterwards under NATO command as Operation Unified Protector...
pursuant to Security Council resolution 1973.
Organization
The Sixth Fleet is operationally organized into task forceTask force
A task force is a unit or formation established to work on a single defined task or activity. Originally introduced by the United States Navy, the term has now caught on for general usage and is a standard part of NATO terminology...
s.
Each task force is responsible to the Sixth Fleet Commander for specific functions related to assigned units.
When strike groups deploy to the Mediterranean from the Atlantic they 'inchop' (transfer command) from Second Fleet to Sixth Fleet.
Task Force 60
Destroyer SquadronDestroyer squadron
A destroyer squadron is a naval squadron or flotilla usually consisting of destroyers rather than other types of vessel. In some navies other vessels, such as frigates, may be included. In English the word "squadron" tends to be used for larger and "flotilla" for smaller vessels, both may be used...
60 (DESRON SIX ZERO) was established on 19 February 2003. It was homeported in Gaeta, Italy. The establishment of Destroyer Squadron Sixty provided CNE/COMSIXTHFLT with a permanently assigned destroyer squadron, increasing the Sixth Fleet's options when undertaking national and theater level tasking.
From November 2007 to April 2008, TF 60's commander served as Commander Africa Partnership Station
Africa Partnership Station
Africa Partnership Station is an international initiative developed by United States Naval Forces Europe-Africa, which works cooperatively with U.S...
with an international staff operating off West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea.
He also serves as Commander, Task Force 365, Task Force West and Central Africa.
This Task Force 60 is the Sixth Fleet's Battle Force. When any Carrier Strike Group
Carrier Strike Group
A carrier strike group is an operational formation of the United States Navy. It is composed of roughly 7,500 personnel, an aircraft carrier, at least one cruiser, a destroyer squadron of at least two destroyers and/or frigates, and a carrier air wing of 65 to 70 aircraft...
enters into the Mediterranean control zone it is usually designated TF 60 and the battle group commander, a one or two-star flag officer, assumes duties as COM TF 60 from COMDESRON 60. The Task Force can be composed of one or more aircraft carrier
Aircraft carrier
An aircraft carrier is a warship designed with a primary mission of deploying and recovering aircraft, acting as a seagoing airbase. Aircraft carriers thus allow a naval force to project air power worldwide without having to depend on local bases for staging aircraft operations...
s, each with an accompanying complement of approximately six cruisers and destroyers. On board the aircraft carrier is an air wing of 65–85 aircraft
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
. This air wing is the primary striking arm of the Strike Group, and includes attack, fighter, anti-submarine, and reconnaissance aircraft. Ships accompanying the carrier serve as defensive and offensive platforms with duties involving anti-aircraft, surface and submarine warfare. In addition to its major role of controlling the seas, the Strike Group can also project its power over land.
Task Group 60.4 has most recently been holding the Africa Partnership Station
Africa Partnership Station
Africa Partnership Station is an international initiative developed by United States Naval Forces Europe-Africa, which works cooperatively with U.S...
role, and Task Group 60.5 seems now to be permanently assigned as the Southeast Africa Task Group. The Group may be named the South and East Africa Task Group, and holds the alternate designation of Task Force 363.
As of 2011 Task Force 60 will normally be the commander of Naval Task Force Europe and Africa. Any naval unit within the USEUCOM or USAFRICOM AOR may be assigned to TF 60 as required upon signal from the Commander of the Sixth Fleet.
Task Force 61, Amphibious Assault Force
Task Force 61Task Force 61
Task Force 61 is a task force of the United States Navy that today denotes what used to be designated the Mediterranean Amphibious Ready Group of the United States Sixth Fleet. It is composed of approximately three Amphibious assault ships, but in 2008 is designated the Expeditionary Strike Group...
was the Mediterranean Amphibious Ready Group
Amphibious Ready Group
An Amphibious Readiness Group of the United States Navy consists of a Navy element—a group of warships known as an amphibious task force —and a landing force of United States Marines , in total about 5,000 people. Together, these elements and supporting units are trained, organized, and equipped...
. It is composed of approximately three amphibious ships and their embarked landing craft. From these ships, United States Marine ground forces can move ashore by sea and air in amphibious assault or emergency evacuation missions. Once ashore, the ships of Task Force 61 logistically support the ground forces, until the objective of the landing has been accomplished, and the Marine Forces return to the ships.
As of 2011, according to official NavEur/NavAf Public Affairs sources, Task Force 61 will normally be the commander of the deployed Carrier Strike Group (CSG) and will exercise operational control of all units assigned to TF61 operating in the USEUCOM or USAFRICOM AOR.
Task Force 62, Landing Force (Marine Expeditionary Unit)
Task Force 62 is the combat-ready ground force composed of a Marine Expeditionary UnitMarine Expeditionary Unit
A Marine expeditionary unit , formerly called Marine amphibious unit , is the smallest Marine air-ground task force in the United States Fleet Marine Force...
(MEU) of approximately 1,900 Marines. Transported in Task Force 61 ships, the MEU is equipped with armor, artillery, and transport helicopters that enable it to conduct operations ashore, or evacuate civilians from troubled areas. This MEU is usually from II MEF on the East Coast.
As of 2011, according to official Public Affairs sources, Task Force 62 will normally be the commander of the deployed Ambhibious Ready Group (ARG) and will exercise operational control of all units assigned to TF61 operating in the USEUCOM or USAFRICOM AOR.
Task Force 63 Logistics Force
Task Force 63 is the Logistics Force. Task Force 63 and Military Sealift CommandMilitary Sealift Command
The Military Sealift Command is a United States Navy organization that controls most of the replenishment and military transport ships of the Navy. It first came into existence on 9 July 1949 when the Military Sea Transportation Service became solely responsible for the Department of Defense's...
's Sealift Logistics Command (SEALOGEUR) are two separately named formations that actually operate as a unified one with one staff. Task Force 63 is headquartered at Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
, Italy. Composed of oilers, provision ships, and repair ships, its mission is the delivery of supplies at sea, and effecting repairs to other ships and equipment of the Fleet. Commander, Task Force 63 (CTF-63) is the operational commander of all the U.S. 6th Fleet air and sea logistics. While in theater, Military Sealift Command's Naval Fleet Auxiliary Force and Special Mission ships report to CTF-63 along with cargo planes that support 6th Fleet and U.S. European Command logistics missions.
CTF-63 is also responsible for ordering and tracking spare parts and supplies being delivered to ships in theater. CTF-63 is the immediate operational commander of Maritime Prepositioning Ship
Maritime Prepositioning ship
The 31 Maritime Prepositioning Ships are part of the United States Military Sealift Command's Prepositioning Program. They are strategically positioned around the globe to support the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Defense Logistics Agency...
Squadron One (MPSRON ONE) based in the Mediterranean Sea. The ships of MPSRON One are deployed year-round. This pre-positions U.S. military cargo at sea. Should a military or humanitarian crisis arise in theater, the squadron can deliver its cargo ashore, enabling a faster U.S. response.
Task Force 64 Special Operations
The first incarnation of Task Force 64 consisted of nuclear-powered submarines armed with long-range strategic missiles (SSBN). Until the end of the 1970s these ships were homeported in Naval Station Rota, SpainNaval Station Rota, Spain
Naval Station Rota is a Spanish naval base commanded by a Spanish Vice Admiral and fully funded by the United States of America. Located in Rota, Spain, and near the Spanish town of El Puerto de Santa María, NavSta Rota is the largest American military community in Spain and houses US Navy...
. The mission was strategic
Military strategy
Military strategy is a set of ideas implemented by military organizations to pursue desired strategic goals. Derived from the Greek strategos, strategy when it appeared in use during the 18th century, was seen in its narrow sense as the "art of the general", 'the art of arrangement' of troops...
deterrence
Deterrence theory
Deterrence theory gained increased prominence as a military strategy during the Cold War with regard to the use of nuclear weapons, and features prominently in current United States foreign policy regarding the development of nuclear technology in North Korea and Iran. Deterrence theory however was...
. It is extremely unlikely that any SSBNs are actually still assigned or operate with CNE/C6F in the Mediterranean.
Previously, CTF 64 was responsible for ballistic missile submarines assigned to the Sixth Fleet. CTF 64's administrative title, was Commander Submarine Group 8. ComSubGru 8's operational functions were accomplished through four Task Forces: CTF 64, CTF 69 (attack submarines), NATO's CTF 442, or deployed SSBNs and CTF 439, the operational title for Commander Submarines Allied Naval Forces South—the rear admiral's NATO hat. (Globalsecurity.org
GlobalSecurity.org
GlobalSecurity.org, launched in 2000, is a public policy organization focusing on the fields of defense, space exploration, intelligence, weapons of mass destruction and homeland security...
)
TF 64 then became a Special Operation force, previously headquartered by the now-disbanded Naval Special Warfare Unit 10 at Rota, Spain
Rota, Spain
-External references:*, official website * On-line since 1999! News, premiere information, pictures, weather, etc. Into Spanish, English... ****- External links :...
. NSWU 10 disbanded in 2005, and it is now unclear whether CTF 64 is operating currently. During the initial stages of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, Task Force 64 became the administrative command structure created to interface with all non-UK/US special forces and smaller ground combat forces provided by various national governments and under American operational control. This may have been because NSWU 10 elements deployed to Afghanistan to form part of the HQ.
As of 2011, according to official U.S. Navy Public Affairs contributions to wikipedia, Task Force 64 will not normally be assigned, but may be as required.
Task Force 65
Task Force 65/Destroyer Squadron SIX ZERO located in Naples, Italy. Commander, Task Force 65/Commander Destroyer Squadron SIX ZERO exercises operational and tactical control of all forward deployed surface combatants operating in the USEUCOM and USAFRICOM AORs under the direction of Naval Forces Europe/Africa. TF 65 surface combatants execute myriad operations from as far North as the Norwegian Sea and south to the Cape of Good Hope including Ballisitic Missile Defense, Sea Lines of Communicationenforcement, Maritime Interdiction Operations, direct support to NATO combined and Joint operations and exercises, Counter-terrorism operations, Counter-piracy operations, Africa Maritime Law Enforcement Partnership operations, whole of government Africa Partnership Station deployments and Theater Security Cooperation activities both inport and underway.
It can be seen from this 2011 official description that the CDS 60 task force designator has been switched from TF 60 to TF 65.
Task Force 66
Task Force 66 will usually be the commander of the deployed Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and will exercise operational control of all units assigned to TF66 operating in the USEUCOM or USAFRICOM AOR.Task Force 68
Task Force 68 is the Navy Expeditionary Combat Force. Units typically assigned to TF 68 are Explosive Ordnance Disposal units, Naval Construction units and Marines which make up the Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Teams (FAST).Task Force 67 Land-Based Maritime Patrol Aircraft
Task Force 67Task Force 67
Task force 67 or Cactus Strike force was based at Guadalcanal during World War II and consisted of several destroyers: , , , and . They defended the waters off Guadalcanal from the Tokyo Express. These were some of the most contested waters in the early days of World War II...
is composed of land-based maritime patrol aircraft. These aircraft operate over the waters of the Mediterranean in anti-submarine, reconnaissance, surveillance, and mining roles.
In the past, Task Force 67's has been provided by Commander, Fleet Air Mediterranean (COMFLTAIRMED), but it is unclear whether FLTAIRMED still exists. The Task Force commander also previously held the role of NATO AFSOUTH
Joint Force Command Naples
Allied Joint Force Command Naples is a NATO military command. It was activated on 15 March 2004, after what was effectively a redesignation of its predecessor command, Allied Forces Southern Europe , originally formed in 1951...
's Commander, Maritime Air, Allied Naval Forces South with the NATO task force designator TF 431.
Task Force organisation 1999:
- TG-67.1 Maritime Surv & Recce Det Sigonella (Sicily)
- TU-67.1.1 Patrol Squadron Sigonella (VP)
- TG-67.2 Maritime Surv & Recce Det Rota (Spain)
- TU-67.2.1 Patrol Squadron Rota (when activated; VP)
- TG-67.3 Patrol Squadron, Souda Bay, (Crete)(When activated)
- TG-67.4 VQ-2 (Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron Two)(Whidbey Island, WA)(EP-3)
- TG-67.8 CROF Souda Bay, Crete
As of 2011, officially Task Force 67's mission is to provide responsive, interoperable, and
expeditionary combat ready maritime patrol aircraft and supporting forces to
Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe/Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Africa
and Commander, U.S. SIXTH Fleet (CNE-CNA-C6F), NATO and Unified Commanders
to conduct effective Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), maintain Maritime Domain
Awareness (MDA), enhance regional stability, promote cooperative maritime
safety and security, and be decisive while conducting overseas contingency
operations.
Task Force 68, Maritime Force Protection Force
Established 17 March 2005, CTF 68 is to command force protection forces such as construction battalions, mobile mine assembly units, and Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Teams (FAST) platoons which are part of Marine Corps Security Force Company Europe (MCSFCoEUR).A possibly more recent mission for CTF 68 is Commander, Task Force SIX EIGHT conducts Explosive Ordnance Disposal operations, Naval Construction, Expeditionary Security and Theater Security Cooperation in order to maintain strategic assess, develop interoperability with coalition, joint, inter-agency and other partners, and increase security and stability in Europe and Africa. On order, conduct Point and Area Defense to protect and defend critical infrastructure and High Value Assets against terrorist attack. Be prepared to conduct Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations.
Task Force 66/69 Submarine Warfare
Task Force 66/69 is responsible for planning and coordinating area submarine and anti-submarine warfare operations in the Mediterranean. Specifically, Task Force 69 is composed of attack submarines that provide capability to destroy enemy surface ships and submarines, as well as protect other Sixth Fleet ships from attack.As of 2011, according to official U.S., Navy public affairs contributions to wikipedia, Task Force 69 is the Submarine Force and exercises operational control of all Submarine assets in the USEUCOM or USAFRICOM AOR.
Past Command ships
- USS Newport NewsUSS Newport NewsUSS Newport News may refer to:, was a German cargo ship named Odenwald, taken over by the US Navy during World War I, was a Des Moines-class heavy cruiser in service from 1948 to 1978...
CA-148 - USS SalemUSS SalemThree ships of the United States Navy have been named USS Salem: was a scout cruiser in service from 1908 to 1921 was the civilian vessel Joseph R. Parrott, used as a minelayer from 1942 to 1945 was a heavy cruiser in service from 1949 to 1959...
CA-139 - USS Des MoinesUSS Des MoinesThree ships of the United States Navy have been named USS Des Moines, after the city of Des Moines, Iowa.* The was a in service from 1904 to 1921.* The , a heavy cruiser, was renamed on 6 November 1944....
CA-134 - USS ColumbusUSS ColumbusFour ships of the United States Navy have been named USS Columbus, the first two after the explorer Christopher Columbus, and the other two after Columbus, Ohio, the capital of the state....
CA-74 - USS NorthamptonUSS NorthamptonUSS Northampton has been the name of three ships in the United States Navy:, a wooden motor boat acquired in 1917 and returned to its owner in 1918., lead ship of the Northampton-class cruisers, commissioned in 1930 and was sunk at the Battle of Tassafaronga in 1942.*USS Northampton was a heavy...
CLC-1 - USS SpringfieldUSS SpringfieldUSS Springfield may refer to:*USS Springfield , was a stern-wheel steamboat in use during the American Civil War.*USS Springfield , was a steamboat chartered during 1918 and 1919....
CLG-7 - USS Little Rock CLG-4
- USS BostonUSS BostonSeven ships of the United States Navy have borne the name Boston, in honor of the city of Boston, Massachusetts.* The , was a gundalow launched in 1776 and was burned to avoid capture by the British on 13 October 1776....
CAG-1 - USS SpringfieldUSS SpringfieldUSS Springfield may refer to:*USS Springfield , was a stern-wheel steamboat in use during the American Civil War.*USS Springfield , was a steamboat chartered during 1918 and 1919....
CLG-7 - USS AlbanyUSS AlbanyFive United States Navy ships have borne the name Albany, after Albany, the capital of New York.* The , was a 22-gun sloop-of-war commissioned in 1846 and lost at sea in 1854....
CG-10 - USS Puget SoundUSS Puget SoundUSS Puget Sound has been the name of more than one ship of the United States Navy. These ships are named after Puget Sound in the state of Washington....
AD-38 - USS CoronadoUSS CoronadoUSS Coronado may refer to:, a patrol frigate, served in World War II as a convoy escort., an auxiliary command ship, hosted the Navy's Sea Based Battle Lab ., the fourth littoral combat ship named on 12 March 2009...
AGF-11 - USS BelknapUSS BelknapTwo ships of the United States Navy have been named Belknap, in honor of Rear Admiral George Eugene Belknap.* The , was a destroyer launched in 1919 and decommissioned in 1945....
CG 26 - USS La SalleUSS La SalleTwo ships of the United States Navy have been named USS La Salle, after Rene Robert Chevalier de La Salle., originally named Hotspur, was a transport ship of World War II, was a command ship commissioned in 1964 and decommissioned in 2005...
AGF-3 - USS Mount Whitney LCC / JCC 20 (Current)
Sixth Fleet Commanders
- June 1946 – July 1948 VADM Bernhard Bieri
- July 1948 – November 1949 VADM Forrest ShermanForrest ShermanForrest Percival Sherman was an admiral in the United States Navy and the youngest man to serve as Chief of Naval Operations until Admiral Elmo Zumwalt became Chief of Naval Operations in 1970....
- November 1949 – March 1951 VADM John Ballentine
- March 1951 – May 1952 VADM Matthias Gardner
- May 1952 – March 1954 VADM John Cassady
- June 1954 – March 1955 VADM Thomas Combs
- March 1955 – April 1956 VADM Ralph Ofstie
- April 1956 – August 1956 VADM H.D. Felt
- August 1956 – September 1958 VADM Charles Brown
- Sept 1958 – September 1959 VADM Clarence Ekstrom
- September 1959 – July 1961 VADM George Anderson
- July 1961 – March 1963 VADM David McDonald
- March 1963 – June 1964 VADM William Gentner
- June 1964 – September 1966 VADM William Ellis
- September 1966 – April 1967 VADM Frederick Ashworth
- April 1967 – August 1968 VADM William Martin
- August 1968-August 1970 VADM David Richardson
- August 1970-October 1971 VADM Isaac C. Kidd Jr.
- October 1971- June 1973 VADM Gerald Miller
- June 1973-September 1974 VADM Daniel Murphy
- September 1974-August 1976 VADM Frederick Turner
- August 1976-September 1978 VADM Harry Train II
- September 1978-July 1979 VADM James Watkins
- July 1979 – June 1981 VADM William SmallWilliam SmallWilliam Small was born in Carmyllie, Angus, Scotland, the son of a Presbyterian minister, James Small and his wife Lillias Scott, and younger brother to Dr Robert Small. He attended Dundee Grammar School, and Marischal College, Aberdeen where he received an MA in 1755...
- June 1981 – July 1983 VADM William Rowden
- July 1983 – February 1985 VADM Edward Martin
- February 1985-June 1986 VADM Frank Kelso II
- June 1986 – August 1988 VADM Kendall Moranville
- August 1988 – November 1990 VADM J.D. Williams
- November 1990- July 1992 VADM William Owens
- July 1992 – December 1993 VADM Thomas Lopez
- December 1993 – April 1995 VADM Joseph Prueher
- April 1995-July 1996 VADM Donald Pilling
- July 1996 – July 1998 VADM Charles Abbot
- July 1998-October 2000 VADM Daniel Murphy Jr
- October 2000-October 2001 VADM Gregory JohnsonGregory JohnsonGregory Johnson or Greg Johnson may refer to:*Gregory B. Johnson , musician, pianist, composer, band member of Cameo* Admiral Gregory G. Johnson, U.S. Navy, former Commander in Chief, Allied Forces Southern Europe, and Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Forces, Europe, 2001–2004*Gregory C. Johnson ,...
- October 2001-November 2003 VADM Scott FryScott FryVice Admiral Scott Allen Fry , is a former Director of the Joint Staff for the United States Department of Defense, who previously served as Commander, Sixth Fleet....
- November 2003- May 2005 VADM H. G. Ulrich III
- May 2005 – September 2007 VADM J. “Boomer” StufflebeemJohn Dickson StufflebeemJohn Dickson "Boomer" Stufflebeem, was a United States Navy three-star vice admiral and Director, Navy Staff. John Dickson “Boomer” Stufflebeem , is the Senior Vice President and founder of the NJS Group, LLC, a company specializing in strategic communications and planning as well as crisis...
- September 2007 – August 2008 VADM James A. Winnefeld, Jr.James A. Winnefeld, Jr.James Alexander "Sandy" Winnefeld, Jr. is a United States Navy four-star admiral who currently serves as the ninth Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He previously served as the fourth Commander, U.S. Northern Command and the 21st Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command from...
- August 2008 – November 2009 VADM Bruce W. ClinganBruce W. ClinganBruce W. Clingan is an officer of the United States Navy. He currently holds the rank of Vice Admiral. From August 2008 to November 2009, he was Commander, United States Sixth Fleet, as well as Commander, Joint Command Lisbon, a subdivision of NATO's Allied Command Operations, among other Commands...
- November 2009 – October 2011 VADM Harry Harris
- October 2011 - Present VADM Frank Craig PandolfeFrank Craig PandolfeFrank Craig Pandolfe is a Vice Admiral in the United States Navy.-Career:Pandolfe graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1980. He later obtained a Ph.D. from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy....
External links
- Official Commander of 6th Fleet Website
- Black Sea Port Visits
- http://neds.nebt.daps.mil/Directives/notices/3111_121.pdf - Order establishing TF 68 as Maritime Force Protection Force
- http://www.defenselink.mil/transformation/articles/2005-07/ta070805a.html - disbandment of NSWU 10